Sat Jan 11 16:20:29 UTC 2025: ## Israeli Indologist Warns of Impending West Bank Explosion
**Jerusalem, January 11, 2025** – Renowned Israeli Indologist, poet, and peace activist David Shulman has issued a stark warning about the escalating violence in the West Bank, comparing the current situation to South Africa at the height of apartheid. In an exclusive interview with *The Hindu*, Shulman described the West Bank as a “cauldron that could explode at any moment,” citing intensified settler violence since the October 2023 war between Israel and Hamas.
Shulman, whose scholarly work spans South Indian literature and history, highlighted the unchecked power of extremist settlers, who he says effectively control the West Bank, dictating actions to Israeli soldiers and police. He detailed the rampant violence perpetrated by these settlers against Palestinian villages, including property destruction, livestock killings, and physical assaults. This, he argued, is fueled by a right-wing Israeli government and exacerbated by ongoing military operations in areas like Jenin and Nablus.
Shulman also discussed his extensive research on systemic changes in 16th-century South India, drawing parallels to the transformative period in Europe marked by the Reformation and the Thirty Years’ War. He emphasized the emergence of individualistic introspection and a sense of “newness” in South Indian literature and culture during this time.
Looking towards the future, Shulman expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the lack of political will in Israel to pursue a peaceful resolution with the Palestinians. While acknowledging the complexity of the situation, he emphasized that a viable future for both Israelis and Palestinians hinges on a settlement that grants Palestinians political autonomy and security. He cautioned against the potential for a devastating third intifada.
Shulman currently works on several projects, including a book on an 18th-century autobiography from Kerala and a translation of the Kamba Ramayanam. He is also dedicated to preserving and rediscovering largely forgotten Tamil texts from Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
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